Rating: 
Summary: Heller says it best
Review: Having read this book for no other reason than I thought I should I must say I am frankly envious of those with the opportunity to study it. Anyone who reads Catch-22 will rave about it; no formal dissection is necessary to communicate the mutual wonder which shines clearly out of the ensuing rather incoherant duet of praise. Convincing the rest of the world is another matter, one I feel I should leave to those who have done more than just read the book. However I remain skeptical that anyone could ever do justice to this novel, no matter how effusive their praise. "He knew everything about literature except how to enjoy it". Well Heller has created a book that won't let you avoid enjoyment. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A modern classic, Catch 22 is a must-read!
Review: Catch 22 by Joseph Heller is a book about World War II and the brave (or maybe not-so-brave) soldiers who fought in it. The blunt and truthful view of soldiers' lives is refreshing, this isn't a "war heroes are our friends" type of book. The satirical humor and twisting plot will keep you up all night long reading this great book.
Rating:
Summary: Literature For Guys
Review: Sorry, ladies, but you won't get it, and you probably won't enjoy it. You can try, but the format, the story line, the characters, and the setting will be beyond you. If you actually take the time to work your way through it, I salute you and you will be a treasure for a lucky man. This book is about men, in a masculine environment. It is written from a male point of view, and sadly enough women enter the story line only as foils for the story or Heller's brilliant editorializing. They novel's women are interesting and varied enough, and each delightfully sexy in the way only a man could fathom and describe, but this book and its themes are not about them. So what is the book about? It's about the nature and burden of conformity in the most conformist institution one can find (the military) during the most conformist of times (war). The book is about the loss of innocene and the concomitant loss of youth to age, awareness, and ultimately to mortality. It is about the value and vitality of individuality, about humor and sex, and how essential these are to our (everyone, not just men) sense of self, well-being, and how we relate to others. The book is about the preciousness and frailty of life as experienced by 20-something soldiers. Its humor is crass, shallow, and at times the darkest and cruelest black comedy I have ever encountered. It is a deep, thought-provoking book which still makes me laugh out loud after probably 50 readings in the past 20 years. It is a brilliant work of fiction, an absolute treasure, and I recommend it with all of my heart. If you couldn't otherwise guess, it is my favorite book of all time. Please read it and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Masterpiece!!
Review: Catch-22 should be mandatory reading for all mankind across the world. The book is painfully funny, infinitely insightful, supremely intelligent, brutally sad and it awakens one's soul. Heller does a masterful job of exposing the absurdities of military and reveals the brutality that invariably accompanies any war. Moreover, Heller's commentary on capitalism and greed as powerful motivating factors that drive man to do some silly things was also very interesting. Do yourself a BIG favor. Read Catch-22. You won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Wow.
Review: This book is amazing! It's simultaneously hilarious and unbearably tragic. Read this especially if you saw the movie and didn't understand it- it makes much more sense on paper. Don't put it aside if you don't like historical fiction or books about WWII- that's important, but it's not the focus. Let it make you think!
Rating:
Summary: Groovy
Review: This was quite possibly the greatest book I have ever read in my life. At times it mader me laugh until it hurt and then could make some one cry at the same time. Joesph Heller brings a humorous look to the excentrict military lifestyle of WWII. A must read
Rating: 
Summary: confusing
Review: I only have one word for this book, confusing. The novel has a great story line, and is rather funny, but I suggest making a time-line to help you understand whether you're in the past or present. The two best ways of telling this are by the number of missions that must be completed before coming home and when there is someone, who died earlier in the novel, walking around. I would also like to add that there are not much war scenes (which is good for me, because I don't like war novels).
Rating:
Summary: Bitterly funny, full of blood and guts, sex and perversion
Review: hilarious insights and incidents. An original account of war. Yossarrian is indeed crazy, but so is the world. Good ending. I knew all along that Orr was going to get his "Sweden"
Rating:
Summary: What a Catch!
Review: Heller's novel did not dissapoint. I was not sure what to expect when I selected this book but I was thouroughly impressed. I am not a big fan of war books but this novel is much more than that. Heller's attention to detail and great dialogue made this book exciting to read. The conversations held by the characters not only make you laugh but also make you think about the points that they are discussing. Heller's use of vocabulary also inhances the quality of the book. He uses words that are specific to the war and time period. Although sometimes I was confused by the large vocabulary I kept reading because I knew that I would still understand what was going on. Heller describes the scene of war as a place that at some times people would hate to live while at other times a place of paradise. I think that his description of the characters is unlike any i have ever read. Heller describes the characters by writing about their actions and past expierneces. He uses their actions to write about the way they treated others and they way they thought about things. This method was very usefull because it didn't cause the book to stop and explain the character it just told the story and described the character at the same time. Many times in society we take for granted our views on others and ourselves. This book realates the tragedies and triumphs of war to the problems of human society. It opens the minds of those who cannot see the wrongs in society. I think the term "catch 22" which is used throughout the book in many different instances refers to life. In the book no matter what the pilots do they cannot get out of flying the missions, while in life no matter what a person does during there life all people will endure the same tragedy of death. This book is great for all people who love to ride rollercoasters. Heller takes you on an exhilirating ride through the emotions of the characters and tragic happenings of war. I would reccommend this book to anyone who loves to read books that open your mind and make you think.
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Summary: The Insanity of Modern Life
Review: Truly, Heller's postmodernist classic "Catch-22" is a beautiful, touching, and mainly hilarious satire of war. However, one can globalize its theme to encompass the insanity of modern life. Heller paints a beautiful portrait of the contradictions and complications of post-WW2 men and women. Like the antihero Yossarian, we too are desperately attempting to find a meaning or method to a conglomeration of lies and contradictions. In a world of political correctness and fuzzy logic, Heller's novel is timelier than ever. He puts a name, Yossarian, on the modern search for answers to life's most pressing question. The book is not just full of deep, serious meanings. It is also hilarious, filled with black humor that provides an entirely new perspective to view life through. "Catch-22" may offend some with its blatant sex and occasional violence; it may confuse some with its unique humor and complex order; but above all "Ctach-22" stands as the greatest literary monument to our times and our problems.
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